The NBA and NFL are by far the most bet on sports leagues in the United States. NBA betting in particular is growing tremendously year after year, and this is especially true in Texas, which is home to three popular and successful NBA teams, the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.
On this page we explain the current legal status of sports betting in Texas, outline the options Texans have for betting on NBA games, look at the three most popular NBA bets, and finish with a general step by step guide to getting started.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
No. Sports betting is not legal in Texas, and there are no licensed sportsbooks, either online or in person, anywhere in the state.
Legalizing sports betting in Texas requires a constitutional amendment, which must be approved by two-thirds of both the Texas House and Senate and then by Texas voters. Bills to do this were filed during the 2025 legislative session, but the session ended without any sports betting amendment advancing. The Texas Legislature only meets in regular session in odd-numbered years, so the next opportunity comes when the 90th Legislature convenes in January 2027.
Check out our Texas betting section to learn more about the regulatory climate for sports betting in the state.
Where Can Texans Bet On The NBA?
Even without legal sportsbooks, Texans have several ways to put money on NBA games. Each works differently and comes with its own legal status, so it’s worth understanding the differences before choosing one.
Prediction Markets
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket let you buy and sell contracts on the outcome of NBA games. Instead of betting against a sportsbook, you trade with other users, and the price of a contract reflects the market’s view of how likely an outcome is. These platforms operate under federal oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rather than state gambling law, which is why they are available in Texas.
Their status in Texas is being challenged, though. A Texas Senate committee held a hearing on prediction markets in September 2026 at the direction of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and lawmakers may try to restrict them during the 2027 session.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps such as PrizePicks, Underdog, DraftKings Pick6 and Sleeper accept players in Texas who are 18 or older. Rather than betting on who wins, you pick whether individual players will go over or under a statistical projection.
DFS operates in a legal gray area in Texas. State law doesn’t specifically address it, and the only formal state position is a 2016 Attorney General opinion (KP-0057) that said paid DFS contests are likely illegal gambling. That opinion has never been enforced against players, and the major apps have continued operating in the state.
Betting in a Neighboring State
Licensed sportsbooks are legal in several nearby states, including Louisiana and Arkansas, which both offer mobile betting. You must be physically located inside that state’s borders to place a bet, even if you live in Texas, and licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 or older.
Offshore Sportsbooks
Offshore sportsbooks are licensed outside the United States and accept bets from Texas residents. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means Texans who use them have no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
Popular NBA Bets
There are three main NBA bets that take the vast majority of the action on each NBA game. These are the point spread, money line (to win) and over/under (totals) odds.
Point Spread
The point spread attempts to even out the game by basically spotting the underdog a certain number of points (the spread).
If you are betting the favorites to cover the spread, they must win by more points than that spread amount. If you are betting on the underdogs to “beat the spread” they must either win the game outright or lose by fewer points than the spread.
Here’s an example from the Houston Rockets season opening game vs the OKC Thunder in the 2025-26 season. The -8 for the Thunder indicates that they are 8 point favorites in the game, while the +8 beside Houston indicates they are 8 point underdogs. For a spread bet on the Thunder to win they would have to win the game by 9 or more points. If the Rockets win the game or the Thunder win by 7 or fewer points then the Rockets +8 bet is a winner. If the Thunder win by exactly 8 then the spread bets would push and be returned.
Money Line (To Win)
You can also simply wager on which team is going to win the game, no spread involved. The money line odds are set based on each teams perceived chances of winning the game. If a team is the favorite a bet on them to win will payout less than a bet on the underdog.
The Thunder have odds of -300 to win the game outright. This means you would have to wager $300 to win $100 betting on the Thunder.
On the flip side, a $100 bet on the Rockets wins $250 if they pull off the upset.
Check out our sports betting odds page to learn more about the American Odds format.
Over/Under (Total)
The over/under bet involves wagering on the total number of points to be scored in a game (by both teams combined). The oddsmaker sets a “total” and you can bet on whether there will be more (over) or fewer (under) points scored in the game.
The over/under for the Rockets vs Thunder game is set at 227.5.
- If 228 or more points are scored the over bets win.
- If 227 or fewer points are scored the under bets win.
How To Bet On The NBA From Texas – Step By Step
Whichever option you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose Your Option
Decide which type of platform fits how you want to bet. Prediction markets are the closest thing to betting on results, DFS apps are built around player stats, and licensed sportsbooks in a nearby legal state offer the full range of bets if you’re willing to travel. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
Every platform has its own eligibility requirements. Most prediction markets and DFS apps require you to be at least 18, while licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 in most states and physically located in the state where they are licensed.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Regulated platforms are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number or a photo of your ID.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the platform’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the NBA section, select the market you’re interested in, and choose your position. Before confirming, check the price or odds and how much you stand to win, using the bet types explained above as a guide.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before the season starts and stick to it. Most regulated platforms let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
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